Joseph Mallord William Turner

Martigny: Bridge over the River Drance, with the Chapel of Our Lady of Compassion, and La Bâtiaz

1802

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In Tate Britain

Prints and Drawings Room

View by appointment
Artist
Joseph Mallord William Turner 1775–1851
Part of
Grenoble Sketchbook
Medium
Chalk, gouache and graphite on paper
Dimensions
Support: 216 × 284 mm
Collection
Tate
Acquisition
Accepted by the nation as part of the Turner Bequest 1856
Reference
D40207
Turner Bequest LXXIV P

Technique and condition

This pencil, black chalk and white gouache composition has been drawn on a greyish-buff laid paper. The black chalk drawing was applied first, followed by the pencil. The gouache wash was applied last; care was taken to ensure that it did not overlap along the skyline. Strong, swift lines and heavy shading are evident in this work; the pencil in particular appears to have been applied using considerable pressure to ensure a dark finish. The gouache is faint but the pencil and black chalk are strong.
The top edge of the sheet has been roughly cut. Unlike other works originally from the same sketchbook, this example has not been exposed to light. Turner’s intended contrast of grey paper, graphite pencil shading and lightly applied gouache can still be seen to advantage in this rapid and effective sketch.

Helen Evans
October 2008

Revised by Joyce Townsend
February 2011

Catalogue entry

This is one of two finished versions, worked up with chalk and gouache, of the pencil drawing from the same sketchbook (D40198). The other, slightly differently treated, is D04494; Turner Bequest LXXIV 2.
Verso:
Blank

David Blayney Brown
September 2011

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